Great Burning : 32

Ethan got the word out to Zandra.
“We need to be ready for a sudden departure if necessary,” he said urgently as the excitement of the unexpected contest spread rapidly through the revellers. “Get the children and finishing loading up everything we’re taking. Watch the weight, we can’t load too many. You’re going to have to make some hard decisions and abandon some books. It can’t be helped. I want you to destroy the ones you’re leaving. Burn them, pulp them in a tub of water, bury the remnants, do whatever you have to so they are unrecognisable. And do it quickly!”
Zandra looked shocked.
“We can’t leave evidence of the library behind,” he said gently but simply.
So whilst everyone else was spilling out of the hall and heading for the festival grounds to see the fight, Zandra, Ben and Hannah worked swiftly and quietly to complete their preparations to leave Ironhope for the last time.
“What if Alderon loses the fight?” Zandra had asked, still using Klane’s alias.
“Then we’ll have to make sure the books on the wagon are disposed of as well before morning and before Muttu and his gang see them. My friends will be able to help after the fight. This is a big risk. But what else can we do?”